Council tax is a big expense for a lot of households, however do you know that one in 4 individuals who challenged their council tax band final yr efficiently decreased their invoice?
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That’s proper—over 10,000 households with their council tax band lowered, doubtlessly saving them lots of of kilos.
When you suppose your property may be within the unsuitable band, it might be value difficult it. Right here’s every part that you must learn about the best way to go about it.
Why problem your council tax band?
Your council tax band relies on the worth of your property in April 1991 (for properties in England and Scotland) or April 2003 (for properties in Wales).
If the unique valuation was unsuitable or if modifications have been made to your property since then, you may be paying greater than it’s best to.
The federal government’s Valuation Workplace Company (VOA) dealt with 39,590 council tax challenges final yr, and 27% of them resulted in a decrease band.
Meaning these households will now pay much less council tax and will even get a refund for the overpayments they’ve made previously.
The way to verify in the event you’re in the proper band
Earlier than you make a proper problem, it’s vital to do a little bit of analysis:
- Examine your neighbours’ bands: In case your neighbours have comparable properties however are in a decrease band, this might be an indication that your band is unsuitable. You may examine your property’s band with others on the VOA or Scottish Assessors Affiliation (SAA) web sites.
- Assess your property’s worth: Use the Nationwide Home Value Index calculator to estimate what your property was value in 1991 (or 2003 in Wales). If the worth suggests you have to be in a decrease band, you may need grounds for a problem.
- Contact the VOA: In case your analysis signifies that your property is within the unsuitable band, you may ask the VOA to overview it. You’ll want to supply proof to assist your case, but when the overview is profitable, your council tax band can be lowered.
Making a proper problem
When you’re assured that your band is inaccurate, you may make a proper proposal to the VOA.
That is totally different from a band overview and doesn’t require you to supply proof upfront. Nevertheless, in case your proposal is rejected, you may attraction to the Valuation Tribunal.
It’s value noting that there’s a small threat your band might be moved up as an alternative of down, which might improve your invoice. However that is uncommon—solely 0.08% of challenges resulted in the next band final yr.
Different methods to cut back your council tax
Even when your band is appropriate, there are different methods to cut back your council tax invoice:
- Single particular person low cost: When you reside alone, you would get a 25% low cost.
- Reductions for disregarded individuals: You might also get a reduction in the event you reside with somebody who isn’t counted for council tax functions, similar to a full-time pupil or somebody beneath 25 in accredited coaching.
- Hardship reduction: When you’re struggling to pay your council tax, your native council could supply assist, together with cost rescheduling, reductions for low-income households, and even hardship reduction.
What occurs in the event you can’t pay?
It’s vital to not ignore your council tax invoice. When you’re having bother paying, contact your native council as quickly as attainable.
They’ll supply assist, however in the event you don’t pay after receiving a closing discover, the council can take authorized motion, which could embody sending in bailiffs or taking the cash immediately out of your wages.
Remaining ideas
Difficult your council tax band might prevent a big amount of cash. By checking your band, performing some analysis, and contacting the VOA, you would possibly discover that you just’re entitled to pay much less.
And even when your band is appropriate, there are nonetheless different methods to cut back your invoice and get monetary assist in the event you want it.
Ricky Willis is the unique Skint Dad. A money-making fanatic, father, and husband to Naomi. He’s all the time on the lookout for distinctive methods to earn somewhat further.
